Sri Lanka's Second Parliamentary Sitting After Election Cancelled Due to Lack of Quorum

The second parliamentary sitting following the recent elections in Sri Lanka was cancelled on April 25, 2024, due to a lack of quorum. This marks the second such incident, as the previous parliamentary session had proceeded without issue. The current 19th parliamentary term is set to conclude on May 15, with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena stating that sessions will continue as scheduled until the final sitting on May 13.

Many members of the current parliament had contested in the recent elections, but the majority did not succeed in securing re-election. Only 11 members managed to retain their seats for the upcoming 20th term. The inauguration of the 93 newly elected members is slated for May 28.

The cancellation of the parliamentary sitting has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the current parliament in its final days. With a significant number of members having lost their re-election bids, there are questions about their motivation and engagement in the remaining sessions.

Why this matters: The lack of quorum in the Sri Lankan parliament highlights the challenges of maintaining continuity and productivity during transitional periods between elections. It emphasizes the need for measures to ensure the smooth functioning of the legislature, even as its composition undergoes significant changes.

The Speaker has emphasized that the remaining sessions will proceed as planned, despite the recent cancellation. "We will continue to hold sessions as usual until the scheduled last sitting on May 13," Abeywardena stated. The parliament is expected to address pending matters and complete necessary legislative work before the conclusion of the 19th term.

Key Takeaways

• Sri Lanka's parliament session canceled on April 25 due to lack of quorum.
• Only 11 out of 93 newly elected members retained their seats for the 20th term.
• Concerns raised about parliament's effectiveness in final days as many members lost re-election.
• Speaker says remaining sessions will proceed as planned until the last sitting on May 13.
• Highlights challenges of maintaining continuity during transitional periods between elections.